I came from another country and I don't know what will I do?

You will need to speak to your guidance counsellor about whether an additional year in high school would be possible and how that would work for you, ie can they offer you math classes at the right level. Map out a plan which classes you would take.

If you were to drop down to junior status now and do another two years in high school, got great grades in advanced math and science classes and at least good grades in regular English and humanities classes, you could then apply to both NSCC with Tennessee Promise and 4 year colleges and just see how admissions and financial aid work out for you.

That’s what a lot of US students have to do, too - apply and then decide based on admissions and finances. The system is much more opaque than in other countries in the world and many kids will not know ahead of time what the best option for them is. You may end up happy with a good scholarship to a good 4 year university, or find that you don’t like or cannot afford your results and decide to do two years at community college for free anyway. The uncertainty is, sadly, built into the system, and immigrants have to come to terms with it.

Not knowing more about your situation than you have told us, I’d always recommend taking another year in high school if possible. It gives you more time to understand the system, improve your English, improve your grades and your test taking skills and will ultimately improve your options.

If, for some reason, another year of high school doesn’t work out, make sure to apply for Tennessee promise at NSCC in time. They offer programs tailored for students who want to move on to university, with classes that will transfer seamlessly at least to Tennessee universities.

You will be okay.

3 Likes